Chapter 22 #2
“He was just concerned about me. He’s a great boss. I don’t want to let him down.”
I bit my lips, staring at my hands.
“There’s more,” he whispered. “Tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“What are your fears? I need to know them. It’s the only way I can fight them right along with you.”
“I don’t know exactly. Not being able to fix this. Disappointing Cameron—he’s been more than a mentor to me. And what if I lose my job? What if I won’t find another one in the industry?”
“I will not let this affect anyone I care about. I will protect my family, and I will protect you. Do you understand?” He spoke against my lips.
“Yes.”
It humbled me to be among those few people important enough for him to want to protect.
“I’ll protect you the same way I protect my family, Hailey. No matter what. I won’t let you get caught in the crossfire. If I have to buy every PR company in this town so you have someplace to work, then I will. See? Sounds like the only way I can get you to work for me. Win-win.”
“Oh.”
“Why is that a surprise?”
He watched me intently, but I didn’t reply.
What could I say? That I’d never been with someone who gave me so much thought?
Who wanted to protect me from crossfires?
Ever since I was a kid, I’d never wanted to burden anyone with my issues.
But this feeling here, having a partner, was exhilarating, but it also scared me.
The situation with the pics wasn’t the only thing getting out of control. So were my feelings for him. My heartbeat intensified, and I pinned my gaze on the counter.
“What’s on your mind, Hailey?”
I drummed my fingers on my thigh, gathering my courage.
“When we were at your parents’ house, I was thinking about the Friday dinners I have with my family, and I realized that you’re the first man I imagined bringing to Friday dinner forever.”
Oh God, I’d said it out loud, hadn’t I? I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. The perplexed look on his face sent my heart into overdrive, and not for good reasons. I dropped my gaze back to the counter and spoke so fast that I practically jumbled the words.
“And I know this is out of the blue. I’m not expecting…. That’s not—this is all on me.”
“Hailey. Stop talking as if you’re doing something wrong.”
“It’s not that, but I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
“I don’t feel pressured. I feel honored.”
My muscles loosened. I hadn’t even realized I’d been so wound up. I glanced up again.
“I want to be everything you need, Hailey. Fuck, you have no idea how much I want that. To make you happy. To make you mine.” He kissed my cheek, my temple, pulling me to the edge of the seat. “I want all that with you, understand?”
I nodded, and when he kissed me, one large hand already lowering the zipper at my back, I all but melted from the sheer heat radiating from his body.
And when we paused, just for a few seconds to regain our breaths, my pulse skittered at the warmth in his eyes.
Not just warmth: determination, even a hint of domination.
He was demanding surrender, and I wanted to do just that. I wanted to please him. I wanted to let him rock my world. Everything I felt when I was with this man was just surreal.
He made me feel wanted and worshipped and important.
I slid off the chair and practically mauled him before my feet even touched the floor, taking off his shirt, pushing down his pants, everything, until he was completely naked. Then he kissed me hard, yanking down my dress. I gasped, tugging at his hair in protest.
“I’ll buy you another one. I’ll buy you a whole damn wardrobe.
” He said something more, but his words were unintelligible.
He spoke as he kissed down my body. He brought a hand between my legs, pushing the fabric to one side, stroking me.
A wave of pleasure exploded through me, making my toes curl.
His touch would relieve the ache, but Reid was kneeling before me, blowing cold breaths over my exposed, slick flesh.
He slid two fingers inside, keeping his thumb on my clit, driving me crazy.
“OhGod, OhGod. I’m so close,” I whispered, feeling the pressure build and build until I was sure my knees would give way.
Reid showed me no mercy. He worked me up with his fingers until my vision faded at the corners.
When I climaxed, I held Reid’s shoulders so tightly, I was sure I’d leave marks.
I was faintly aware that he stood up, cradling me with one arm, holding me close, steadying me.
“You’re so fucking sexy. I’ll never tire of watching you cry out, making you come.”
He kissed my cheek, moving to my earlobe, biting the shell softly. “Don’t be afraid of your feelings for me, Hailey. We’ll work through everything together. I promise.”
My breath caught as his words sank in. I mapped his chest with my mouth and my hands.
His cock was wedged between us, hard and hot, and knowing he wanted me so much spurred hunger inside me, even though I’d just climaxed.
I was insatiable, and I wanted to give him just as much pleasure.
I lowered myself on my haunches, swiping my tongue over the tip before licking all the way to the base.
“Fuck, Hailey.” He propped both hands on the wall behind me, looking down, watching my every move. I took him all the way in, inch by inch, driving him crazy. He moved his hips gently back and forth, and then he made a sound that seemed a lot like he’d scratched the bar counter before pulling out.
“Inside you. I need to be inside you, Hailey.”
He helped me to my feet before kissing me hard and putting his hands on my lower back. His cock pressed against my entrance and my clit, sending a small shockwave through me.
I couldn’t breathe from the sheer desire I had for this man. We didn’t even make it to the bedroom. He took me right there, on the counter.
Reid
Much later, I carried Hailey to the bedroom.
She fell asleep on the couch, right on my chest. She snuggled adorably when I lowered her on the bed, pulling me next to her, using my chest as a pillow.
Every time I tried to move, she’d just snuggle tighter, even throwing a leg over me.
I chuckled, stroking her hair. My mind was racing, searching for a solution.
I’d already taken steps to deal with this mess, but clearly, I hadn’t moved fast enough.
I wasn’t a vengeful person, but Marion just signed her own demise by having someone tail us and take those pictures. This wasn’t a pap’s work. It was hers.
I wasn’t going to allow anyone to hurt Hailey. Ever. I wanted to protect this woman from anything there was. I didn’t sleep the entire night, and by morning, I’d made up my mind about the next step.
I ordered breakfast to be brought up, along with paper and pen.
After scribbling a note to Hailey, I tucked it under her coffee cup and went with the tray to the bedroom. She was still asleep.
My girl was a force of nature, and yet yesterday she’d been so beat up. To know I had caused that made me angrier at myself than I’d ever been.
If I had my way, I’d talk her into taking today off too, but I knew when to push and when to take a step back.
“I’ve got coffee here for you,” I said, setting the tray next to the bed.
She stirred.
“And pancakes.”
She stirred some more, even opening her eyes.
“Oh, shit. I fell asleep here. What time is it?”
“Relax. Early enough that you have time to go home and change.”
“Whew.” She glanced at the tray. “Is that for me?”
“Yeah.”
She pushed herself in a sitting position, and I placed the tray on her lap. She swallowed two big gulps of coffee before seeing the note.
Her eyes widened, and she placed the tray back on the nightstand, still holding the note. I held my breath, waiting for her reaction to my words.
I love you, Hailey Connor. We’ll get through this, I promise.
She leaped out of bed, straight into my arms.
“This note is the most adorable thing.”
“Adorable? Not what I was going for.”
“What were you going for?”
“Romantic.”
“That too.” Burrowing her head in my neck, she whispered, “I love you too.”
I sat on the bed, holding her in my lap. Damn, I really didn’t want to let go. Keeping her here sounded better by the minute.
“You feeling better than yesterday, pretty girl?”
“Umm… naked time always helps. And sleeping next to you.”
“On me,” I corrected.
“Well, that too. The pillows are comfy, but why use them when I have you? The note also helped.”
She squirmed in my lap.
“Stop that if you’re serious about getting home in time.”
Hailey stilled at once.
“On second thought, I’m keeping you here today.”
“No can do, mister. As much as I’d love to just be lazy and have more naked time, I can’t. I need to brainstorm on how to put out these fires.” On a lighter note, she added, “The brain fog has lifted, and I don’t think the pancakes should take all the credit.”
“About putting out those fires… I’ll make that statement about Marion and Lincoln.”
She lifted her head from the crook of my neck, frowning. “What? Why now?”
I looked her directly in the eyes. “Because I love you, Hailey, and, yes, I am proud, but I won’t let that pride hurt you. These pictures make you look like the other woman, and I won’t let that happen.”
“Reid, I can find workarounds. It’s my job.”
“I want to do it this way.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll set up everything, then.”
“I’m sorry I’ve waited this long to do it.”
“Better late than not at all.”
I kissed her slowly, rubbing my palms against her thighs, pulling her even closer. She grinned. “Is this supposed to motivate me to get my ass out the door? Hint: it’s not really working.”
“I might have other ideas.”
She pointed a finger at me. “Nope.”
“Relax. Just want to keep you here for a few more minutes.”
Sighing, she laced her arms around my neck. “Sleeping here has its perks. Breakfast in bed, and your chest as a pillow? I can totally get used to that.”
“That’s the master plan.”